It’s not political – it’s Polio, and it’s ROTARY.
Vaccine pauses in Gaza’s polio crisis aren’t political—they’re vital for public health.
Gaza recently reported its first polio case in 25 years — a 10-month-old boy, now paralyzed in a leg. The World Health Organization says the presence of a paralysis case indicates there could be hundreds more.
The recent detection of variant poliovirus type-2 isolates in environmental samples and the confirmation of a 10-month-old child who has contracted polio in Gaza is a stark reminder that as long as polio exists anywhere, it is a threat everywhere. The ongoing crisis in Gaza has contributed to reduced routine immunization rates and an increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio. The crisis also poses a significant challenge to fully implementing disease surveillance and vaccination campaigns.
Gaza is a stark reminder that as long as polio exists anywhere, it is a threat everywhere.
Rotary is committing S500,000 to bolster the initiative, channeling these funds through a dedicated Polio Outbreak Response Fund. This contribution represents Rotary’s sustained support to the WHO in combating polio globally.
Rotary will continue to work with its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and other agencies as vaccination efforts unfold. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers there to be a high risk for the spread of this polio strain within Gaza and internationally, particularly given the current situation’s impact on public health services.
Learn more and donate to End Polio Now
One Day. One Focus: Ending Polio
World Polio Day is a time for Rotary members, public health advocates, and all who want a world free from polio to come together, recognize our progress in the fight to end polio, and talk about the actions we need to take in order to end polio for good.
All donations are matched 2:1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, tripling your impact!
Need ideas for October 24 for your club? Check out the Event Guide – Google World Polio Day.– lots of great ideas!